• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2006

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether embryonic stem (ES) cells can be established from isolated blastomeres of mouse embryos. Methods: Blastomeres were separated from mouse (C57Bl/6J) 2- or 4-cell embryos. Isolated blastomeres or whole 4-cell embryos were co-cultured with mitosis-arrested STO feeder cells in DMEM supplemented with recombinant murine leukemia inhibitory factor and ES-qualified fetal bovine serum. After the tentative ES cell lines were maintained from isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, some of them were frozen and the others were sub-cultured continually. Characteristics of tentative ES cell lines as were evaluated for specific genes expressions with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. Results: One ES cell line (3.0%) was established from isolated blastomere of 2-cell embryo and one cell line (4.0%) from isolated two blastomeres of 4-cell embryo. And five cell lines (16.7%) were established from whole 4-cell embryos. Both cell lines from isolated blastomere and whole embryo expressed mouse ES cell specific markers such as SSEA-1, Oct-4 and alkaline phosphatase. Marker genes of three germ layers were expressed from embryoid bodies of both cell lines. Conclusion: This study suggests that mouse ES cells could be established from isolated blastomeres, although the efficiency is lower than whole embryos. This animal model could be applied to establishment of autologous human ES cells from biopsied blastomeres of preimplantation embryos in human IVF-ET program.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2016

Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is exclusively produced in osteoblasts and osteocytes, its main target is the kidney, where it decreases phosphate reabsorption by suppressing Na-phosphate cotransporters. Independently of its action on phosphate homeostasis, FGF23 also inhibits bone formation in vivo. In a calvarial osteoblastic cell model, FGF23 was shown to negatively affect extracellular matrix mineralization. This study investigated whether FGF23 had similar effects on osteoblast maturation, including differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). D1 MSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium containing β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethazone. Osteoblastic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (Alp) staining, and matrix mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining and calcium deposition. The expression of differentiation-stimulating genes Runx2, Alp, and osteocalcin and mineralization-inhibiting genes Enpp1 and Ank was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Supraphysiological doses of FGF23 did not stimulate proliferation or osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. Matrix mineralization 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the FGF23 treatment did not vary between control and FGF23 groups, although time-dependent enhancement of mineralization was obvious. Calcium deposition was also unchanged after the FGF23 treatment. mRNA expression levels of differentiation- and mineralization-related genes were also similar between the groups. Despite these negative findings, FGF23 signaling through FGF receptors seemed to function normally, with phosphorylation of the Erk protein more evident in the FGF23 group than in controls. These findings suggest that unlike calvarial osteoblasts, FGF23 is not likely to affect osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of MSCs.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.394-400
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• 2008

Purpose: Quantitative comparison of transgene expression within stem cells between lentivirus and adenovirus-mediated delivery systems has not been reported. Here, we evaluated the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) gene expression in rat mesenchymal stem cell (rMSC) transduced by lentivirus or adenovirus, and compared the hNIS expression quantitatively between the two delivery systems. Materials and Methods: Lentiviral-mediated hNIS expressing rMSC (lenti-hNIS-rMSC) was constructed by cloning hNIS gene into pLenti6/UbC/V5-DEST (Invitrogen) to obtain pLenti-hNIS, transducing rMSC with the pLenti-hNIS, and selecting with blasticidin for 3 weeks. Recombinant adenovirus expressing hNIS gene (Rad-hNIS) was produced by homologous recombination and transduction efficiency of Rad-hNIS into rMSC evaluated by Rad-GFP was $19.1{\pm}4.7%$, $54.0{\pm}6.4%$, $85.7{\pm}8.7%$, and $98.4{\pm}1.3%$ at MOI 1, 5, 20, and 100, respectively. The hNIS expressions in lenti-hNIS-rMSC or adeno-hNIS-rMSC were assessed by immunocytochemistry, western blot, and 1-125 uptake. Results: Immunocytochemistry and western blot analyses revealed that hNIS expressions in lenti-hNIS-rMSC were greater than those in adeno-hNIS-rMSC at MOI 20 but lower than at MOI 50. However in vitro 1-125 uptake test demonstrated that iodide uptake in lenti-hNIS-rMSC ($29,704{\pm}6,659\; picomole/10^6\;cells$) was greater than that in adeno-hNIS-rMSC at MOI 100 ($6,168{\pm}2,134\;picomole/10^6\;cells$). Conclusion: Despite lower amount of expressed protein, hNIS function in rMSC was greater by lentivirus than by adenovirus mediated expression. Stem cell tracking using hNIS as a reporter gene should be conducted in consideration of relative vector efficiency for transgene expression.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2004

Purpose: The ability to noninvasively track the migration of neural progenitor cells would have significant clinical and research implications. We generated stably transfected F3 human neural progenitor cells with human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) for noninvasively tracking F3. In this study, the expression patterns of hNIS gene in F3-NIS were examined according to the cultured time and the epigenetic modulation. Materials and Methods: F3 human neural stem cells had been obtained from Dr. Seung U. Kim (Ajou University, Suwon, Korea). hNIS and hygromycin resistance gene were linked with IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site) under control of CMV promoter. This construct was transfected to F3 with Liposome. To investigate the restoration of hNIS gene expression in F3-NIS, cells were treated with demethylating agent (5-Azacytidine) and Histone deacetylase inhibitor (Trichostatin A: TSA). The expression of hNIS was measured by I-125 uptake assay and RT-PCR analysis. Results: The iodide uptake of the F3-NIS was higher 12.86 times than F3 cell line. According to the cell passage number, hNIS expression in F3-NIS gradually diminished. After treatment of 5-Azacytidine and TSA with serial doses (up to $20{\mu}M$, up to 62.5nM, respectively) for 24 hours, I-125 uptake and mRNA of hNIS in F3-NIS were increased. Conclusion: These results suggest that hNIS transfected F3 might undergo a change in its biological characters by cell passage. Therefore, the gene ex[ressopm of exogenous gene transferred human stem cell might be affected to the epigenetic modulation such as promoter methylation and Histone deacetylation and to the cell culture conditions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2005

Salt-tolerant transgenic Panax ginseng plants were produced by introducing the SAL1 geue (3'(2'), 5'-bis-phosphate nucleotidase) that confers tolerance to the salts through Agrobacterium tumefaciens co-cultivation. Cotyledon explants of immature ginseng zygotic embryos cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium lacking growth regulators formed somatic embryos directly with below 10%, but the 74% tranformation rate were observed at the treatment of phytohormone with 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l kinetin. Somatic embryos were initially cultured on MS medium supplemented with 250 mg/l cefotaxime for 3 weeks and subsequently subcultured five times to a medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin and 250 mg/l cefotaxime. Upon development into the cotyledonary stage, these somatic embryos were transferred to on the medium containing 50 mg/l kanamycin and 10 mg/l gibberellic acid to induce germination and strong selection. Integration of the transgene into the plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. The ginseng transformants with well-developed shoots and roots were successfully acclimatized in a greenhouse when they were planted in soil.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1998

The highest transformation frequency was observed when cotyledonary and hypocotyl explants of flowering cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC) 'Eunbae' were cultured on shoot induction medium without kanamycin for 1 day, then cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404;;pGA1036 harboring tomato inhibitor II promoter and $\beta$-glucuronidae (GUS) fusion gene for 3 days. These explants were transferred to MS medium containing 20 mg/L kanamycin, 500 mg/L carbenicillin, and 1 mg/L BA. The explants were subsequently subcultured every 2 weeks. Incorporation of the GUS gene into flowering cabbage was confirmed by PCR analysis of DNA. Southern blot analysis showed that ECL-labeled GUS gene was hybridized to the expected amplified genomic DNA fragment of about 366 bp from transgenic flowering cabbage. Histochemical analysis based on the enzymatic activity of the GUS protein indicated that PI-II promoter activity was sysmatically associated with vascular tissue in wonded as well as in non-wounded leaves, petioles and stems, but not in roots. Partial wounding with razor blade showed not systemic induction but partial induction.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.225-229
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• 1998

Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA 4404 harboring binary vector pBI 121 was used for genetic transformation of lettuce(Lactuca Sativa L.). Optimal shoot regeneration from cotyledon explants was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 0.1mg/L NAA and 1.0 mg/L 2ip. In this condition, cotyledon explants were cocultivated with A, tumefaciens for 2 days, and then transferred to selection medium supplemented with 50 mg/L kanamycin and 500 mg/L carbenicillin. These explants were subsequently subcultured every 2 weeks on shoot induction medium. PCR analysis indicated that the GUS gene was stably integrated into the nuclear genome of lettuce. Histochemical analysis based on the enzymatic activity of the CUS protein showed that GUS activity was associated with vascular tissue in leaves and roots. Progenies of Ro plants demonstrated a linked monogenic segregation for GUS gene.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2011

To improve genetic transformation of Brassica napus winter cultivar 'Youngsan', factors influencing shoot regeneration and transformation from cotyledonary petioles were investigated. Shoot induction was enhanced in the combination of 0.5 mg/L NAA and 2~4 mg/L kinetin. Silver nitrate was essential for successful shoot regeneration, ranging from 5 to 9 mg/L. The addition of $GA_3$ promoted plant regeneration. Among the tested Agrobacterium strains, co-cultivation times, and antibiotic selection regimes, choice of appropriate Agrobacterium strain was the most critical factor for efficient transformation of B. napus cv. 'Youngsan'. The EHA105 succinamopine strain was the most efficient and the maximum transformation efficiency was 26.8%. Transgenic shoots were selected on 10 mg/L phosphinothricin (PPT) containing media. The transgenic plants expressing bar and gus genes were resistant for commercial herbicide "Basta" and stained with X-Gluc. Southern blot hybridization indicated that the presence of one to three gus gene copies per genome and inheritance of the gus gene into the $T_1$ generation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2012

Since many pesticides cause various health and environmental problems, alternative measures to replace them are needed, and the bacteria producing the antifungal substances can be one of them. In this study, several rhizobacteria were isolated and their antifungal activities against some important plant pathogenic fungi were examined. Pseudomonas otitidis TK1 and Paenibacillus peoriae RhAn32 inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici by 49.8% and 45.6%, and 45.1% and 48.3%, respectively compared to those of the control. P. peoriae RhAn32 also decreased the growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani by 37.5%. This growth inhibition might be due to the production of antifungal substances, such as siderophore, hydrogen cyanide and chitinase, which were produced by these rhizobacteria. P. otitidis TK1 also produced plant growth hormones indole acetic acid and indole butyric acid at $293.41{\mu}g/mg$ protein and $418.53{\mu}g/mg$ protein, respectively. When P. otitidis TK1 and B. cereus TK2 were inoculated together with F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici to the 4 weeks grown tomato seedlings and incubated additional 8 weeks, the stem lengths of tomato increased up to 45.7% and 55.3% and root lengths were raised to 64.9% and 60.8%, respectively than those of the control group. The wet weights increased by 118% and 182%, respectively compared to the control group.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.42
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• pp.285-311
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• 2016

This paper examines the constitutive relationship between realism and magical realism using a genealogical approach. Georg $Luk{\acute{a}}cs^{\prime}s$ The Theory of Novel and Gabriel García $M{\acute{a}}rquez^{\prime}s$ One Hundred Years of Solitude, as two founding texts of each genealogy, meet each other obliquely, sharing the most essential features. Even if realism and magical realism appear in opposition to each other in their political, cultural, epistemological outlooks, they in fact constitute the same truth regime in two different guises. Karen Tei Yamashita's Tropic of Orange interrogates this discursive regime of magical/realism, refusing to be contained within it. Her novel de-emphasizes the current idea of solidarity based on identity politics because it cannot resist effectively against the all-reifying power of globalization. Instead, she abandons the idea of imagination itself, and thus, tries to cease the dominant operative of magical/realism. On the temporary vacuum caused from such a conscious act of abandoning imagination, Tropic of Orange posits the urgent need to rethink 'solitude' and 'community', which already have been hopelessly compromised in the history of literary imagination as a global governmentality.